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The bacteriophage HK97 gp15 moron element encodes a novel superinfection exclusion protein

Nichole Cumby1, Aled M Edwards, Alan R Davidson

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Journal of Bacteriology
|July 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophage HK97

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Phage morons are DNA elements found in phage genomes that can alter bacterial host phenotypes.
  • The temperate phage HK97 contains a unique moron element, gp15, in its tail morphogenesis region.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of the gp15 moron in phage HK97.
  • To determine the mechanism of gp15-mediated resistance to phage infection.

Main Methods:

  • Expression analysis of gp15 from the HK97 prophage.
  • Construction of a hybrid phage (HK97/HK022) to identify gp15 targets.
  • Transmembrane prediction analysis of gp15 protein.

Main Results:

  • gp15 confers resistance to phages HK97 and HK75, independent of repressor immunity.
  • Hybrid phage studies suggest tail tube or tape measure proteins are involved in gp15 susceptibility.
  • gp15's N-terminus has a predicted membrane-spanning helix, inhibiting phage DNA entry.

Conclusions:

  • gp15 functions as a superinfection exclusion protein, preventing phage DNA entry.
  • gp15 likely evolved from a bacterial YebO protein, co-opted by phages for their advantage.

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